Baseball Announces Newcomers for 2018 Season

The Blue Devils will welcome nine student-athletes to join the program in the fall.

June 16, 2017

Central Connecticut baseball head coach Charlie Hickey have announced the addition of nine student-athletes to join the program in the Fall of 2017. The group includes three infielders, two catchers, a pitcher, outfielder and a pair of multi-position standouts.

The Blue Devils are coming off a season that included a trip to the NCAA Tournament and the program's fifth Northeast Conference championship. CCSU won a league-high 36 games and had eight all-conference honorees, while Hickey was named the NEC Coach of the Year after guiding the program to an overall mark of 36-22.

Matt Bertochi – INF | Marlborough, MA | IMG Academy
Coach Hickey on Bertochi: "His line drive approach and simple approach has helped him be a very successful hitter. His character and toughness is something that sticks out in his game. His defensive skills will allow him to play multiple positions."

Jay Devito – INF | Stamford, CT | Cheshire Academy
Coach Hickey on Devito: "Jay has premier defensive skills which will allow him to play multiple infield positions. He is a plus runner with outstanding baseball instincts. Jay was a three-sport standout at Stamford High School and is currently attending Cheshire Academy."

James Dolaghan – C | Rutherford, NJ | Rutherford
Coach Hickey on Dolaghan: "We look forward to James being a middle of the order bat for years to come. His gap-to-gap approach has allowed him to be a very successful hitter. His ability as a multi-sport athlete (basketball) will benefit him greatly as he transitions to just baseball."

Shea Dooley – LHP | Wolcott, CT | UConn-Avery Point
Coach Hickey on Dooley: "Shea is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound left-hander with a great arm and has the ability to throw the curveball and changeup for strikes. We look forward to him being a part of our rotation for the next two years."

Sam Loda – C | East Haven, CT | East Haven
Coach Hickey on Loda: "Sam has the ability to stop running games with his advanced catch-and-throw abilities. Offensively, Sam is a line-drive hitter who handles the bat well. We look forward to his continued progress as a hitter."

Matt Shane – LHP/OF | Colchester, CT | Bacon Academy
Coach Hickey on Shane: "Matt has great defensive skills in the outfield and outstanding instincts on the basepaths. Matt has shown great competitiveness on the mound and his quick arm and athletic body will prove to be an asset for us in the future."

Jake Siracusa – OF | South Windsor, CT | IMG Academy
Coach Hickey on Siracusa: "Jake is an outfielder with plus speed. He will be able to play all three outfield positions and has shown some raw power at the plate. His bat speed is something that will allow him to be a premium bat in our lineup."

Peyton Stephens – OF/RHP | Waterbury, CT | Sacred Heart HS

Coach Hickey on Stephens: "Peyton has outstanding athletic ability. He is a right-handed hitter who has shown the ability to hit for power and average. His positive attitude will help in his success at this level. Peyton is a two-way player that will see time in the outfield and on the mound."